Minister Foley and Minister of State Naughton welcome the 2024 Annual Report of the Director of the Decision Support Service
- From: Department of Children, Disability and Equality
- Published on: 2 July 2025
- Last updated on: 2 July 2025
Report outlines the significant level of activity of the Decision Support Service throughout 2024
The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, and the Minister of State for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton, have welcomed the publishing of the second annual report of the Director of the Decision Support Service (DSS). The report has been published as part of the Annual Report of the Mental Health Commission.
The Decision Support Service is a statutory service within the Mental Health Commission, delivering the functions assigned to the Director under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. The commencement of the Act in April 2023 marked a milestone in Ireland, replacing the wards of court system with a new, progressive, rights based system of supported decision-making. The DSS is charged with implementing the progressive provisions of the Act, and with responding to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties.
The DSS ultimately exists to promote the rights and interests of people who may need support with decision-making through a framework that emphasises the will and preference of each individual.
The annual report of the Director of the Decision Support Service sets out its activities throughout 2024 and highlights the significant work programme undertaken by the DSS in its second year of operation.
Some key activities highlighted in the report include:
- an extensive public information campaign to promote public awareness and confidence and to ensure that as many organisations, services, families and individuals as possible are aware of the Act and the DSS.
- the maintenance of an online portal which allows members of the public to create an account and access DSS services.
- reviewing and registering all co-decision-making agreements, decision-making representation orders, and enduring powers of attorney in order to give them legal effect.
- the maintenance of a dedicated website to provide information to people on the important services offered.
- the establishment of a dedicated enduring power of attorney helpdesk to provide comprehensive support to those seeking to plan for a time in the future when they may have diminished decision-making capacity.
- the operation of a dedicated Information Services Team which answers queries and provides information to the public on a wide range of matters relating to the Act and DSS services.
- The commencement of their role as Central Authority under the Hague Convention on the International Protection of Adults.
Throughout 2024 the DSS received over 18,000 calls to its dedicated phoneline, managed almost to 8,000 email queries, and had over 19,500 unique visitors to its website each month. In addition, it received over 2,500 applications for decision support arrangements, registered 705 decision-making representation orders, 1,413 enduring powers of attorney, and supervised 1,047 decision supporters.
Speaking about the launch of the report, Minister Foley said:
‘The commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making Acts in 2023 and the establishment of the Decision Support Service signalled an important milestone for Ireland, introducing a new, progressive, rights-based system of supported decision-making. It has also been an important step in Ireland’s journey towards the progressive realisation of its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
People who lose capacity are entitled to support in making important decisions affecting their everyday lives, and the Decision Support Service facilitates that. I am pleased to see the increasing numbers of individuals engaging with the Decision Support Service and being enabled to put in place appropriate supports that are empowering and that enable them to retain the greatest amount of autonomy possible as they navigate diminished decision-making capacity.’
Minister of State for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton, further welcomed the report, and said:
‘I am delighted to see the publication of the 2024 annual report of the Director of the Decision Support Service, which demonstrates clearly the important role that they play in protecting and safeguarding the rights of many disabled people.
It is imperative that those facing difficulties in making decisions for themselves are supported to maintain their dignity and autonomy, and to have their wishes respected, and the Decision Support Service plays a crucial role in facilitating that.
I look forward to continuing to support the Decision Support Service as they continue in their role of promoting the rights and interests of people who may need support with decision-making’.
For anyone who wishes to find out more about the services offered by the DSS, information, including contact details, can be found on their website.
ENDS//
Note for Editors:
The Decision Support Service was established under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, amended by the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022, both of which commenced on 26th April 2023. The Acts introduced a new system of decision-making supports and the abolished the system of wardship.
The commencement of both Acts provided for key measures related to further compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The Decision Support Service operates as a part of Mental Health Commission and the Director of the Decision Support Service has statutory responsibility for the operation of many of the provisions of Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act.
A copy of the 2024 annual report of the Decision Support Service can be found here.